Monday, October 14, 2013

Dallas Stars Assign Aaron Rome, Chris Mueller to Texas

Chris Mueller, in an Admirals jersey, against the Stars (Credit: Jeff Hanisch)

Veteran defenseman Aaron Rome and center Chris Mueller have both been assigned to the Texas Stars this morning by Dallas.

Rome comes to Texas on a conditioning assignment after missing much of the Dallas Stars' preseason and all of the regular season to this point. He will rehab a hip injury in the AHL. Conditioning loans cannot extend longer than 14 days.

Chris Mueller cleared waivers this morning at 11 AM and was assgined after making the Dallas opening roster due to Rich Peverley missing several games with an irregular heartbeat.

Both should be in the lineup against OKC tomorrow in Oklahoma.

Texas coach Willie Desjardins has some interesting decisions to make regarding his top six now, given the assignment of Mueller. The top six looked liek this for the opening weekend:

McKenzie-Morin-Sceviour
Hedden-Dowling-Ritchie

You would expect the top six to be where Mueller lands, but who do you bump? Most likely candidate would be Curtis McKenzie, but I think his development would be best served by having him on that line. Could you place Mueller on the third line? Perhaps Stransky-Mueller-Smith?

This is also not great for line chemistry, which the Stars spent all week building, only to have it taken apart just before their firsr game in a while.

Finally, Kari Lehtonen has been placed on IR retroactive to October 11th, which means the Stars are going to hold onto Jack Campbell for the time being. They have a back to back this weekend in LA against the Kings and Ducks. Campbell could see his first NHL start this weekend if Lehtonen does not return.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced today that Dallas has assigned forward Chris Mueller to Texas. Dallas also activated defenseman Aaron Rome from injured non-roster and loaned him to Texas on a conditioning assignment. Additionally, Dallas has placed goaltender Kari Lehtonen on injured reserve, retroactive to the game on Oct. 11 against Winnipeg, when he suffered a lower body injury.

Mueller, 27, signed a one-year, two-way contract with Dallas as a free agent on July 8, 2013. The West Seneca, New York native made the Stars’ opening night NHL roster and skated in the team’s season opener on October 3rd against the Florida Panthers. Undrafted, Mueller split the 2012-13 season between the Nashville Predators and their AHL-affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and six penalty minutes in 18 games for Nashville and registered 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) and 35 penalty minutes in 55 games for Milwaukee. Mueller has played 38 career NHL games, all but one with the Predators, and has played in 323 career AHL games for Lake Erie and Milwaukee.

Rome, 30, began the season for Dallas on an injured non-roster spot. The Nesbitt, Manitoba native signed a three-year contract with the Stars as a free agent on July 1, 2012. Last season Rome played in 27 games for Dallas in the lockout­-shortened season, tallying five assists and 18 penalty minutes. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he has played in 201 career NHL games, recording 27 points (6 goals, 21 assists) and 174 penalty minutes for Anaheim, Columbus, Vancouver and Dallas. Rome also has played in 325 career AHL games for Cincinnati, Portland, and Syracuse, scoring 128 points (33 goals, 96 assists) and 681 penalty minutes.

Dallas returns to action Tuesday, October 15th against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center in Denver at 8:00 p.m.

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